Not doing Marvel Bang and that's okay

[selenay]

When I finished Marvel Bang last year, I said it would be my last one. I'd done it five years in a row and last year's was the first one that really felt overwhelmingly stressful, so it was time to stop.

And you know, I'm feeling really good about that decision. I was worried that, as sign-ups happened and things got going, I'd get tempted into going back to do just one more. I've really enjoyed every one I've been in (even though last year's got very stressful due to too many commitments) and it feels a bit odd not to be doing it.

Now that sign-ups are closed I've realised that, actually, nope, I don't miss it. I mean, I've got no Bang-length plot bunnies, so that definitely helps.

But I'm also facing another summer of being incredibly busy and having loads to do, and knowing I'm not trying to write a big fic at the same time is so freeing. No deadlines! If I don't want to write tonight, I don't need to! It's so nice :-)

I'm sending Hunter out to a couple of beta readers this week and I plan to let it rest for a while, so there's no editing to poke at. I'm casually doing world-building and plotting for my next book, but I don't plan to start writing until after the summer busy has finished, so I can do that at my own pace. For the first time in a long time, I've got no deadlines hanging over me during the summer and it feels like I'm free.

Which definitely demonstrates that my time in Marvel Bang is done and I've made the right choice.

Fic challenges should be fun. As soon as they stop being fun, it's time to step back and do a different thing.

Comments

[thisbluespirit]

Fic challenges should be fun. As soon as they stop being fun, it's time to step back and do a different thing.

Indeed! Very sensible. :-)

[selenay]

I'm rarely sensible, but this may be one of those times :-)

[jmathieson_fic]

Good for you for making the right decision for you! I'm not doing it either this year, but that's mostly because my artist flaked on me the last two times I did it, and that killed my motivation to participate.

[selenay]

Aw, that sucks :-( I've been so lucky with my artists each time. Even the year one of my artists flaked on me, it was the year I had two so I still got art. If I'd had artists not pull through two years running, I'd lose motivation, too.

[kimboo_york]

I hear you loudly -- You know I haven't been writing in fandom for over 2 years now. I don't intend to abandon it completely but with day!job and trying to write my own, original stories, I haven't the time/energy.

Although mostly I'm jealous of a time without deadlines. What is this crazy!talk!?!?!? :D

[selenay]

The only fic I've been writing this year has been short fun bits that I couldn't not write. Most of my energy has gone into original stuff. I've been trying to get a better balance between day!job, writing, and Doing Other Stuff, too, so my non-writing energy has gone into different places this year.

What is this crazy!talk!?!?!?

:-D The life of an unpublished writer! And a rare phase in my day!job that also has no deadlines!

I know, totally crazy talk. Don't worry, I'm sure I'll find some deadlines soon.

[emmzzi]

Reading fics, and commenting, especially on giant long fics, is every bit as valuable!